Trade Union Leaders to spend weekend in jail

ZCTU.

Harare - Justice Ben Hlatshwayo of the High Court judge has deferred until
Monday the bail ruling on the case involving the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
leaders.

Their lawyer Alex Muchadehama said Secretary General Wellington Chibebe and

President Lovemore Matombo are being accused of communicating falsehoods,

when they allegedly told workers during May Day celebrations this year that

two teachers had been murdered at Kondo School in Guruve. Both deny that

they ever said this.

Muchadehama said even if they had done so, it is not a crime. The judge said

the case was “too complicated” and he needed more time.

The defense lawyer said he had filed an application on Monday this week for

the court to treat this case with urgency, because Secretary General Chibebe

was due to write some exams this week. This was ignored.

The two leaders will now spend another weekend in police custody. It appears

that the court is playing the same delay game that has been used to keep

other activists and opposition officials in police custody for longer

periods that is necessary. This is usually done when there is no evidence to

support the state’s case. The time served becomes the penalty.

SWAfrica radio

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